Filed To Story: Queen of the Battlefield Her Return to Glory Novel Online Free
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Meanwhile, Rafael, Sophie, and the others had made it back to the capital by 15th March, after the Spring Remembrance Festival. The people from Meadow Ridge had already returned home. Everett had originally intended to stay in the capital for a few days, but knowing that everyone was busy, he decided against it as he didn’t want to make things uncomfortable for them.
Once they arrived, Rafael first had Tiberius imprisoned at the Supreme Court, then went to the palace to report in, while Sophie was free to return to the estate on her own.
Jacob saw how weary they all were and quickly ordered hot meals to be prepared. There were more pressing matters to deal with later. First, he assured Sophie that Solomon and Ryan had already visited the Devin family’s graves during the Spring Remembrance Festival, so she didn’t need to worry. Sophie was relieved to hear that, knowing the rituals had been completed. Tomorrow, she would visit the family chapel at Northwatch Estate to offer flowers herself.
Everyone was exhausted, so after the meal, they quickly bathed and retired for the night.
But Kyle and Sophie, after eating, washed their faces and immediately joined Jacob in the council hall. They shared the basic details of the situation with him.
After hearing their account, Jacob didn’t say much. He had already expected as much.
In the royal study, Salvador listened to Rafael’s report, his brow furrowing as he asked, “When do you think they’ll make their move?”
“I suspect there will be activity within a month,” Rafael replied.
“Should we strike first?” Salvador said. Then he shook his head, clearly frustrated. “The problem is, we don’t even know who they are. We still haven’t located the private army from Stonebridge County, and we have no idea how their forces are growing.”
Rafael found that odd as well. The private army in Stonebridge County had been developing for quite some time. At this point, it likely numbered at least 20 to 30 thousand men.
“The rebellion itself isn’t what worries me,” Rafael said. “What I’m truly concerned about is the possibility that the person behind Yuvan has ties to Sandoria. Sandoria may not be a threat now, but if they attack the Southern Frontier while we’re dealing with internal turmoil, it could deal a crippling blow to us.” The Southern Frontier was what Salvador cared about the most. If he were to lose it again, any achievements from his rule would be erased, and he would be condemned by the people.
Though he considered the chance of Sandoria rising again to be slim-at most, they might stir up some unrest along the border just the thought of it made his heart race. The possibility, no matter how remote, was enough to unsettle him.
He absolutely could not allow anything to happen to the Southern Frontier again.
Salvador knew Rafael had endured a long journey, but he still kept him in the palace and summoned the Defense Minister, his deputy minister, and Thomas to discuss matters.
It was essential to consider all possible scenarios, make multiple predictions based on the current situation, and then organize their forces accordingly.
Above all else, Salvador’s greatest fear remained the Southern Frontier, but when Rafael mentioned Leroy from Westhaven, Salvador’s expression faltered.
“It’s impossible for someone to have the capability to collude with both Sandoria and Westhaven,” he said, his unease evident.
Starhaven’s relationship with Westhaven had always been delicate, and their negotiations hadn’t fully concluded. There was still a debt to settle with Westhaven that loomed over them.
But that wasn’t the greatest concern.
The real issue was that if the true mastermind behind the rebellion truly had the skill to forge such alliances, then how long had they been biding their time? How long had they been plotting?
Davis’ eyes widened as he repeatedly looked at the maps. He was very familiar with these terrains in his mind. If private armies or bandits were hiding in these areas, rooting them out would be no easy task. He turned to Rafael. “What’s the plan for dealing with these bandits?”
“We deal with them as they come,” Rafael simply replied.
Davis blinked, incredulous. He couldn’t believe Rafael had given such an unsophisticated answer. Who didn’t know that they should deal with them as they came? The problem was that there needed to be a strategy!
“Your Highness, is that all you have? Are there more private armies we should know about?”
“There are,” Rafael replied. “We haven’t discovered where the private army from Stonebridge County has moved for now. I suspect they’re waiting for a signal to reunite, so we shouldn’t waste time looking for them. When the rebellion starts, the private army will make itself known.”
The Ministry of Defense officials studied the maps and compared them with the distribution of the troops. The forces stationed at the Southern Frontier and Victory Pass couldn’t be moved. The garrisons outside the capital were also off-limits.
That left only the troops at Brightport and Ebonflow available for deployment.
Salvador listened intently, but his mind wasn’t focused on Yuvan’s rebellion. What truly worried him was the possible threat to Victory Pass and the Southern Frontier.
Suddenly, he realized that while he had been obsessively guarding against Rafael, the true rebels had been quietly plotting and scheming. It struck him that he had done everything, yet had still missed the mark.
A sense of resignation settled within him, and for a moment, he felt utterly defeated.
It wasn’t until late in the evening that Rafael finally returned to Hell Monarch Estate.
Sophie had someone keep the food warm for him. As soon as he came back, she immediately ordered the meal to be served.
She had already eaten, but stayed to keep him company, as eating alone felt lonely.
Rafael didn’t eat much. He placed his cutlery down and sighed. “Today, I caught His Majesty looking at me several times. His eyes… They were full of complexity. I could tell there’s some guilt there.”
Sophie handed him a cup of hot coffee. “Don’t worry. Once everything’s settled, he’ll still keep a watchful eye on us.”
Rafael smiled softly. “Your words strike true.”
Sophie tilted her head, considering. “If I were the king, I’d probably always worry about someone with power trying to take my throne. After all, too many people want to rule.”
Well, such rebellious words shouldn’t be said out loud.
Rafael seemed disinterested, his expression weary. “Being a king is exhausting. I saw His Majesty’s hair graying at the temples today.”
Sophie thought about replying that their lives weren’t any easier, but then decided it was true-they were still in a better position than Salvador.
Jacob and the others came by to check on them. Seeing their exhaustion, they decided not to disturb them further. It had been a long day.
Exhausted as he was, Rafael didn’t slack off even a little in bed.
He pulled out all his tricks!
He unlocked new techniques!
Sophie had endured a long ride back on horseback. Her legs were sore and chafed, and now she had to keep up with an overly hungry man, stretching and moving as if the day hadn’t been taxing enough. It was exhausting!
Two hours later, she felt like she had been trampled by a mule. Every part of her body ached terribly.
Finally, Rafael collapsed in exhaustion. He held Sophie in his arms and quickly fell into a deep sleep. His mind was still somewhat active, and he remembered that he had wanted to speak to her. But his eyelids were heavy, and his mouth too dry to form words.
Never mind. It was time to sleep first!
By noon the next day, both Rafael and Sophie awoke lazily, their bodies still heavy with the remnants of sleep.
Their eyes met, and Rafael’s gaze darkened. The sleep had restored him completely, filling him with energy. He pulled her close, his lips brushing her ear.